Secular Carmelites take vows

Courtesy photo/Don Drake

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Frankie Dowd, Jim Dowd and Kathy Mensel are shown with Father Oscar Martín Picos, pastor of Saint George Catholic Church, after the Sept. 28 Mass during which they took vows as secular Carmelites. 

By Carole Drake

Special to the Intermountain Catholic

SAINT GEORGE — Three Christ the King parishioners strengthened their commitments as lay members of the Carmelite order during a Sept. 28 ceremony.

Father Oscar Martín Picos, pastor of Saint George Parish, presided at the Rite of Admission for Frankie Dowd, and First Promise of both Kathy Mensel and Jim Dowd, to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites during a Sept. 28 Mass in St. George.

The Dowds and Mensel belong to the Carmelite group known as Our Blessed Mother, Queen of Mount Carmel. Representatives of their sister Carmelite community, Jesus, Mary and Joseph Council in Henderson, Nev., attended the Mass: Elizabeth Pesco, the foundation director; Rosemarie Paterra and Elaine Hillman.

"A Secular Carmelite is a practicing member of the Catholic Church who, under the protection of our Lady of Mount Carmel and inspired by St. Teresa [of Avila] and St. John of the Cross, makes the commitment to the Order to seek the face of God in prayer for the good of the Church and the needs of the world," according to Past General Delegate, Father Aloysius Denny, OCD.

Each member is called to an interior life of prayer, silence and solitude by which to model the Virgin Mary.

Mensel is director of religious education for Christ the King Parish and also gives generously of her time to the parish thrift store, said Monsignor Robert Bussen, pastor.

Jim Dowd teaches adult education through the parish’s RCIA program, and Mensel and the Dowds all serve as lectors and Eucharistic ministers in the parish.

Carole Drake is a St. George parishioner.